| THE 26TH
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL March 30th – April 4th 2007 After our special 25th anniversary festival last year, we were sure that we would be hard pressed to match its success but were determined to have a very good try! We were delighted with the results - another truly quality programme with superb teaching and concerts supported by entertaining workshops, a marvellous family ceilidh and a busy exhibition. Our feedback from students and visitors suggested that despite slightly lower student numbers, we had more than succeeded in producing another wonderful festival that offered something to each person and was enjoyed by everyone. From the minute the many willing helpers descended upon Merchiston Castle School for its Easter makeover, through 6 days of wonderful atmosphere and sunshine to the final closing concert, the festival buzzed. We apologise now for not being able to do justice to every event in the resume but hope we have mentioned most. This year, we started with a welcome drink for our tutors to allow them to meet each other – some for the first time and for others to rekindle friendships – this was a welcome new initiative and was followed closely by our EIHF opening reception where students, artists, committee and volunteers could mingle and chat over a glass of wine before enjoying the opening concert. |
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| A distinctly Welsh concert began the 26th festival as we invited a festival favourite, Robin Huw Bowen to share the concert with Gwenan Gibbard. Gwenan opened the concert and immediately captivated the audience with her accomplished playing and beautiful singing while Robin, celebrating 20 yrs of being “on the road”, delighted us as usual with his mix of traditional music and entertaining tales. Their combined finale was enthusiastically received leaving us all enthused and ready for the first day of classes. |
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| As usual, classes offered something for everyone. Favourites such as traditional Scottish, Irish and Welsh were offered plus Spanish Baroque, composition and alpine folk music as well as some very popular "come and try" courses in whistle and mandolin for those looking for something different. In addition, we had a variety of 19 workshops with everything from Yodelling to Dance, Singing and The Kantele. | |
| Saturday’s concert contrasted the silvery tones of Cynthia Cathcart’s solo wire harp with the virtuosic energy of the Harp Consort. Andrew Lawrence King’s harp, Clara Sanabras’ voice and Steven Players’s passionate, leaping dances took us from Africa to Italy via the Spanish and French Courts - a sound and spectacle not often seen on the stage at Merchiston Castle School! |
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| Eira Lynn Jones’ expressive harp programme on Sunday was a delight and included classical and contemporary repertoire as well as some of the exam syllabuses – much to the appreciation of students currently working on these pieces! The evening concert was in marked contrast – Scottish harpist, Phamie Gow opened with a programme entirely of her own compositions, the origins and inspiration of which were eloquently explained before the music rippled over us. Then the Uschi Laar Trio followed with traditional jazz and original scores played on harp, double bass and drums showing off the eclectic influences from Europe, S America and Africa. The concert was well balanced and enthusiastically received by the capacity audience. |
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| A most charming set of concerts took place on Monday
when Rachel Newton (clarsach and voice) and Lilias Kinsman-Blake(flute)
offered a programme reflecting their respective Scottish and English
roots. A joyful selection of Alpine music followed from Saitnvakehrt –
Andrea Hoffman and Gudrun Hartner played a wonderful selection of
polkas, waltzes and mazurkas on their Tyrolean harps along with the
occasional yodelling – it was hard to leave to go back to classes! That
evening, Heather Yule(harp) and Ewan McVicar(storyteller) wove music,
ballads and stories to a transfixed the audience - both young and old –
before everyone let their dancing feet go to enjoy a fantastic family
ceilidh. Our tea concert was as always a popular event and Patsy
Seddon coordinated a programme that featured four of Scotland’s most
gifted players – Ailie Robertson, Eilidh Macleod, Jennifer Port and
Mairi Macleod each showed off their individual talents with a short solo
spot before giving a stunning finale together. |
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| The final day allowed students from the performance class join with local harp orchestra, Na Clarsairean to give a short recital - 38 harps, flute, cello and mandolin played specially arranged Scottish music – what an experience! Then Ismael Ledesma transported us to his native Paraguay with evocative rhythms and sounds as well as own compositions in a beautifully crafted and colourful programme. |
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| The final concert was provided by Clanella – a newly
formed group combining two sets of siblings from two of Ireland’s
foremost musical dynasties – the de Barras and the Brennans. Cormac de
Barra is no stranger to the festival and we welcomed him back with his
guitar playing brother, Fionan while Moya Brennan – “the voice of
Clannad” – brought her harp and invited her sister, Deirdre to join her
on vocals. Together they played a wide variety of tunes and swept the
26th Festival to a standing ovation and an amazing conclusion. This year we had lively jam sessions after every concert and this new regular feature was a real success helping students and artists to socialise in a relaxed environment while enjoying impromptu music, singing, stories and more. We would eventually file out in the small hours exhausted but euphoric! We look forward immensely to next year and urge you all to put the dates in your diary now: 28th March – 2nd April 2008. Why not invite a friend to experience the delights of the Edinburgh International Harp festival as well – we would love to welcome them. |
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